Truancy is unacceptable, so it's good news that councils across Tyneside are getting tough with parents who fail to ensure their children receive an education.

As we report today, more than 60 parents across the area are facing court action for failing to control their children or send them to school.

Just this week, single mum Mary Pickering faced having a parenting order slapped on her after her five-year-old son missed out on a staggering 130 days at school in just one academic year.

The councils point out that they have a legal duty concerning the education of children and that parenting orders are handed out only as a last resort, when all other avenues of helping children and their parents have been exhausted.

The parenting orders can force parents to get training or guidance to make sure their child attends a course or to make sure their child avoids contact with a gang. The order can last up to a year and parents can be fined up to #1,000.

It might seem harsh on the parents, but is has to be remembered that the vast majority of parents seem able to ensure that their children attend school regularly.

This get-tough stance shows parents and children that the councils mean business when it comes to our young people's education and future success.